Hand brake



Sept. 13, 1932c J. F. OCONNOR HAND BRAKE Filed March 3l, 1930 Patented Sept. 13, 1932 JOI-IN F. QCONNOR, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, iissIefNoBl .To w. .IL MINER, IN C, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, i CORPORATION or, DELAWAREA p HAND BRAKE v.'lpplicaftion filed. March 31, 1930. Sttrialslilo. 440,258.

This invention relates to impovements in hand brakes, of the power multiplyingtype.

@ne object of the invention is to :provide a simple and eiiicient hand brakemechanism, especially adapted for railway'cars`,-so designed that Athe brakeman may `apply the brakes by manipulation of asingle hand wheel only, rotation of the hand wheel-in one direction etecting application of the brakes and rotation thereof in a reverse direction eili'ectingcomplete release ofthe same with free ruiming of the tightening element thereby protecting the brakeman from injury by eliminating spinning of the hand wheel while the brake chain is unwinding from the drum.

A further object of the inventionis to provide in connection-with a brake mechanism, of the character referred to inthe preceding paragraph, auxiliary means for easing `oil of the brakes.

Another object of the -inventionis to provde a hand brake mechanism'of thecharacter indicated, including a rotary chain winding means, a rotary operating meansadapted to be engaged and disengaged from* said winding means, a locking ratchet member cooperating with the operating means to hold the same against rotation in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation theregagen'ient with the'chain winding meansto effect tightening of the brakes and disengaging the same therefrom to permit free running of the chain winding drum and complete release of the bakes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a mechanism as specified in the preceding paragraph, auxiliary means for actuating the chain winding means through i rotation of the ratchet member te effect easing oit of the brakes, which auxiliary .means includes driving gearing of which the ratchet member forms apart.

@their objects of the linvention will more Vclearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

.In the drawing, lforming a-partofthis speciicatiomFigurellis a front elevational View of myimproved hand brake mechanism, illus- ,trating the same as applied to the end wall of Aa railway car, the operating hand wheel being illustratedin dotted lines. Figure 2 is a ver- ;tical, sectional view of the handbrake mechanism illustrated inFigure 1 and correspond- `ing!substantially tothe line2-2 of said iiglure. Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding. substantially to the line 3 3 of Figure 2, showing that portion of the brake mechanismilocated intheupper .part ofthe enclosling housing. 'Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view corresponding substantially to the `sectionalviewillustrated inFigure 2, showing-a portion ofthe operating shaft and co-v operating clutch member in driving relation. iFigure'-is .-a'transverse, sectional view correspondingsubstantially to the line .5-5 or Figure 4. Figure 6 is a sectional `.viewsinii- Ylarto lFigure 4, with the operating shaft and cani member thereof'oifnitted. Figure 7 is a transverse, sectional viewthrough the supporting shaft for theratchetmember, showingfthe ratchet member in end elevation .and 'looking fromithe left in Figure 8. Figure. 8 visla-sectional view similarto Figure 3, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

.AndFigure 9 is a sectional view correspond- `ing substantially to the line 9-9 of'Figure 8.

Referring first to the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, the same is illustrated as mounted on l the verticalend wall 10o-v a railway car,

and enclosed within a two part housing comprising a back plate v11 and a cover member 12. The back plate ilis o'ilat form and of the outlineshown' in Figure' 1 and has secur- I ing lugs i-elltliereon, by means of which' the same is Afastened to the end wall 10 of the car. ,As shown in Figurel, the securing lugs 13 are' three in number, one being disposed at the upper' end of the plate" and thel remaining, two being' arranged on opposite sides of the plate near the bottom end of the same. The cover member 12 of the housing is of substantially the same outline as the back plate 11 and has a substantially vertically disposed front wall 14 spaced from the plate 11, a

horizontal top wall 15 and spaced side walls 16-16 which correspond in shape to the Outer side edges of the back plate 11. At the inner edges, the top wall 15 and the side walls 16-16 are provided with laterally projecting lugs 13-13 which correspond to and register with the lugs 13-13 on the bach plate 11. T he two sections 11 and 12 of the housing are secured together by rivets 17-17, which extend through the lugs 13-13 thereof and also through the end wall 10 of the car, thereby in addition to securing the parts of the housing together, serving to hx the housing to said end wall. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, the housing is open at the bottom so as to accommodate the brake chain 18 for movement. The brake chain 18, as will be understood, is connected with the brake mechanism proper of the railway car, not shown. The front wall 14 and the back plate 11 of the housing are provided with alined bearing openings 19 and 20 respectively near the top end thereof, each of these openings being reinforced by annular flanges surrounding the same. Below the alined openings 19 and 20, the front wall 14 and the back plate 11 are provided. with additional alined bearing openings 21-21 which are also reinforced vby annular flange members surrounding said openings. The side walls 16--16, adjacent the upper end of the housing, have a pair of alined bearing openings 22 and 23 therein, the opening 23, which is located in the righthand wall 16, as viewed in Figure 3, being of larger diameter than the opening 22 of the other wall. Both of these openings are also suitably reinforced by annular flange members surrounding the same.

My improved hand brake mechanism proper as illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive comprises broadly a chain winding drum A; a drive gear B hxed to the drum; a pinion C; a sliding clutch member D cooperating with the pinion; a drive shaft E; a hand wheel vF; a rotary combined ratchet and worm member G; a clutch spring H; a ratchet spring J g an auxiliary hand wheel K, and a supporting shaft M.

The chain winding drum comprises a cylindrical hub-like portion 24 having a radially projecting disc-like flange 25 at the inner end thereof, the flange 25 forming a portion of the gear member B. At the periphery, the flange member 25 is provided with a right angular, inwardly projecting annular portion having gear teeth 26-26 formed thereon. The drum A is rotatably supported on a shaft member 27 having its opposite ends reduced and mounted in the openings 21-21 55 of the front and rear walls of the housing.

At the outer end, the hub portion of the drum A is interiorly recessed, as indicated at 23, so as to accommodate the annular flange rounding` the corresponding opening 21 in the front wall 14 of the housing. At the in ner end, the hub of the drum A has bearingA engagement with the outer edge face of they annular flange member surrounding the opening 21 of the back plate 11, thereby preventv ing endwise displacement of the chain winding drum. Adjacent the flange 25, the hulmember of the drum is provided with a securing lug 29 to which the inn-er end link of the brake chain 18is secured.

The chain winding drum A is driven by the pini-on C which meshes with the gear member B, the pinion being supported on the operating drive shaft E, which has its opposite ends journaled in the openings 19 and 2O of the front and rear walls of the housing. As clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the inner end portion of the shaft E is reduced in diam.- eter and lits the opening 2O of the back plat-i- 11 of the housing. The front end of the shari; E projects through the bearing opening 15* of the front wall 14 of the housing and hasl the hand wheel F fixed to the outer end thereof, the hub of the hand wheel being pro vided with an opening adapted to accommodate the outer end portion of the shaf which is also of reduced diameter, as clearly illustrated ,in Figure 2. The pinion C is freely rotatable onv the shaft E and has inner and outer annular spaced flange members 3U and 31 which embrace the adjacent peripheral portion of the gear B, the teeth of the pinion being disposed between these flanges. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, the top wall 15 of the housing is provided 'with a depending linger-like portion 32, which engages the front face of the flange 30 of the pin: thereby holding the pinion in proper postion, the rear face of the pinion cooperating with the annularflange surrounding the openlos ing 20 of the back plate 11 of the housing Vw to prevent movement of the pinion to the right, as viewed in Figure 2. The flange 31 of the pinion C is provided with a plurality of clutch teeth 33-33 for a purpose hereinafter pointed out.

The clutch member D is in the form of collar and is mounted for free rotation. cn the shaft E. At the inner end, the clutch meniber is provided With clutch teeth 34 34.

which cooperate with the teeth 33-33 of the pinion C. The clutch member D is yieldingly held in clutching engagement with the pinion C by means of the spring H, which is interposed between said clutch member and the front wall 14 of the housing. As illustrated in Figure 2, the front end of the spring H bears on an annular flange of a thimnle member 35, which surrounds the flange of the opening19 and extends into the coil of' the spring. At the inner end, the spring bears directly on the clutch member D, which has a reduc-ed projecting annular portion 36 extending into the coilsof `the' spring. The

clutch member D is also provided with anA annular series of gear teeth 37-37which cooperate with the combinedl ratchet and worm member G. TNithin the clutch member D the as viewed iii Figure 1, the same will force the clutch members apart against thev resistance of the spring H. lNlien the operating shaft ll is rotated in a clockwise direction, the cooperating cam 38 and 39 permit re-engagenient of the clutch members, the member D being forced toward the member C by the `spring H.

rlhe supporting shaft M carries the coinbined ratchet and worin member G, which is freely rotatable thereon. The worm member G is directly mounted on. a sleeve `lO,`which is rotatable on the supporting shaft M. The

inner end of the sleeve l0 is of octagonal, exterior, transverse cross section and fits within an opening of similar cross section in the combined ratchet and worm member G, whereby the member G and the sleeve l0 are rotatable in unison and the combined ratchet and worm member G is slidable lengthwise ofthe sleeve. The outer portion of the. sleeve 40 is of cylindrical form, being Journaled in the opening 23 and the auxiliary'hand Wheel K is fined to the outer end thereof, whereby rotation of the hand wheel K effectsrotation of the sleeve and the combined ratchet and worm member G. The worm member G has a peripheral thread 41 of worm formation, the thread being of suoli a cross section as to provide, in eifect, ratchet teeth which cooperate with the teeth 37,-37 of the clutch member D. The ratchet spring J surrounds the shaftM and sleeve 40 and-is interposed between the combinedV ratchet and worm member G and the side wall 16 at the righthand side of the casing, as viewed in Figure 3. As viewed in Figure 3, the combined ratchet and worm member G has the hub portion thereof reduced at the righthand end and fitting within the corresponding end of the coil spring J, the opposite end of the spring surrounding and fitting the annular flange which surrounds the opening 23 of the housing. As shown, the supporting shaft M has a head 42 at oneV end thereof engaging the outer end ofthe sleeve l0 and. the hub portion of the hand wheel K, the opposite end of the shaft being provided with a securing nut Li3 bearing on the corresponding side wall. 16 of the housing. vThehub portion ofthe combined ratchet and worm member VG Ais normally spaced from the inner end of the annular flange surrounding'the opening 23 so as toperinit acertain amount of movement of the member G to allow for ratcheting action. As will be evident, when the hand wheel K is operated ina clockwise direction, x

the combined ratchet and worm member-G through its threaded engagement with theA `gear teeth of the-inember D permits of rotation of the latter together with the pinion C andthe chain winding drinn A in chain iinwinding direction, whereby the brake may be eased oft under thel complete control ofthe brake-man. Although as herein shown, the

brakes are eased off by clockwise rotation of the hand wheel K, if found desirable the construction may be altered to provide for rotation of the hand wheelK in. contra-clockwise direction while. easing olf the brakes by providing the worin member G withk left hand instead of right hand threads.

In the operation of my improved hand Y brake mechanism, when it is desired to apply the brakes, the handwheel F is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures-1 and 2, thereby effecting rotation ofthe shaft E in a similar direction. Due to the formation of the co-operating cam lugs 38 and 39 on the shaft E and the clutch member D, the

latter will be held in operative engagement with the clutch teeth of the pinion C bythe action of the elutchlspring H during the described rotation of thehand wheel F. As

clearly shown in Figure 5, the advance verti-4 ,A

cal faces of the lugs 38-38 of the shaft E engage the vei'tical rear faces of the lugs 39-39 ofthe clutch member D, thereby positively e'ffecting rotation of the latter when the same is in clutching engagement with the' r 1% pinion C.. Rotation of the pinion C eects.

through the cooperating gear B, rotation of the winding drum Ain a contra-clockwise direction, thereby winding the brake chain 18 on the drum and tightening the braken?.

During this operation, the combined ratchet and worm member G will hold the vclutch member D against rotation in a contra-clockwise directie-n while permitting rotation thereof in a clockwise direction, due to the?.

ratcheting action hereinbefore described.

VIn case it is found desirable. to ease off the brakes, the hand wheel-K is rotated in clockwise direction,as viewed in Figures 1 and 3, with resultant rotationV ofthe combined?. Y'

ratchet and worm member G, clutch member D, pinion C, whichis in clutching relation with the member D, and chain winding drum A in unwinding direction.

l/Vhen it is desired to release the-brakes,

the operator turns the hand wheel F in a contra-clockwise direction, thereby'eifecting relative rotation between the shaft E and the clutch member D, the latter being held against rotation by engagement with'thel) combined ratchet and worm member Gr. Due to the relative displacement of the cam lugs 38 and 39 of the shaft E and the clutch member D, during this action, the clutch member D is forced away from the pinion C, thereby disengaging the clutch teeth. Upon complete disengagement of the clutch members, the pinion C is free to rotate on the shaft E, thereby permitting free ruiming of the chain winding drum A and complete release of the brakes. As will be evident, during this releasing action, the hand wheel F remains inactive or stationary, thereby safeguarding the brakeman against injury.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the same comprises a housing substantially the same as that hereinbefore described in connection with the invention illustrated in Fig ures l to?, inclusive, the housing being secured to the end wall of the car and enclosing the brake mechanism proper. The brake mechanism proper, which is mounted in the housing, comprises a chain winding drum, not shown, which is similar to the drum A hereinbefore described, and is mounted for rotation on a supporting shaft and carries an integral gear member B in all respects similar to the gear member B, hereinbefore described and meshing with a pinion C', similar to the pinion C. rlfhe p inion C is supported on an operating drive shaft E, which carries a sliding clutch member D, the clutch member D and the pinion C having cooperating clutch teeth. The operating shaft E carries the operating Ahand wheel F at the outer end thereof and is provided with cam lugs 38-38 similar to the cam lugs 38 hereinbefore described and cooperating with cam lugs 39-39 on the clutch member D and similar to the lugs 39-39 and operating in a similar manner. As clearly illustrated in Figure 9, the clutch member D is provided with a reduced portion of annular cross section, as indicated at 44, on which a rotary ratchet member N, in the form of a collar, is mounted. The ratchet member N and the clutch member D have cooperating ratchet teeth, permitting relative rotation of these parts when the operating shaft E is rotated in a clockwise direction to tighten the brakes, and holding the same against relative rotation to prevent retrograde rotation of the chain winding drum. The ratchet member N is yieldingly held in engagement with the clutch teeth of the pinion C by means of a combined ratchet and clutch spring P, which inter-e posed between the ratchet member l and the outer Wall of the housing. As will be evident, the ratchet member N, which is urged in a righthand direction by the spring P, as viewed in Figure 9, also, through engagement with the clutch member D', urges the latter to the right, thereby yielding'ly maintaining the clutching engagement thereof with the pinion C.

In order to provide means for easing 0E the brakes, a worm member R is provided which cooperates with gear teeth t5-45 provided on the periphery of the ratchet member N. The Worm member R is formed on a shaft having its opposite ends journaled in the spaced side walls 16V-16 of the housing, the righthand end of the shaft having an operating hand wheel K secured thereto so as to effect rotation of the worm R.

In tightening the brakes, the hand wheel F is rotated in a clockwise direction, ras

viewed in Figures 8 and 9, thereby effecting rotation of the clutch member D, which cooperates with the pinion C, and tightening the brakes. During this action, retrograde rotation of the chain Winding drum is prevented by the ratchet member N, which is yieldingly held in engagement with the ratchet teeth of the clutch member D, rotation of the ratchet member N being prevented by engagement with the worm threads of the member It. In case it is found desirable'to ease olf the brakes, the hand wheel K is rotated in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating the ratchet member N' which through the ratchet teeth thereof drives the clutch member D', which permits rotation of the pinion C and the chain winding drum in an unwinding direction.

To effect release of the brakes, the operator turns the hand wheel F in a contraclockwise direction, thereby effecting relative movement of the cam lugs 38 and 39 and forcing the clutch member D out of engagement with the clutch teeth of the pinion C. The pinion C is thus Vfreed for rotation on the shaft E', thereby permitting free running of the chain winding drum and complete release of the brakes.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding member; of a driving element connected thereto; a rotary manually actuated operating means rotatable in reverse directions; a i

ratchet member normally operative for preventing rotation of the winding member in unwinding direction; means for connecting said operating means with and disconnecting the same from said driving element when said operating means is rotated in directions corresponding to the chain winding and unwinding directions respectively, said operating means when engaged with said driving member and rotated in chain winding direction eifecting tighteningofthe brakes, said a operating means when rotated in a reverse direction being disconnected from said driv-` ing means and thereby rendering said ratchet member ineffective and permitting free running of the chain Winding member and com'- plete release of the brakes; and auxiliary means for actuating said chain Winding member to easeoff the brakes.

2'. In afhand brake mechanism, thek combination With a rotary chain tightening member; of a rotary driving member con` nected thereto; rotary operating means, in,- cluding a manually actuated rotary element lgand a driving element connected thereto; co-

operating means on saidrotary element and the driving element for eifecting 4 engagement of said driving element with said driving lmember When the manually actuated rog'tary element is rotated ina direction corresponding to the direction of rotation thereof when the'chain is being tightened,'and effecting disengagement of said driving ele-y ment and driving member when the manually s" actuated rotary element isrotatedin a reverse direction, thereby effecting complete release of the brakes; and auxiliary means for easing loff the brakesand also preventing retrograde rotation of the Winding drum reiivhile the brakes are being tightened;v

3. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination vvitha rotary chainwinding member; of a driving element 4connected thereto;

rotary operating means for said driving ele.- V ment; actuating means for said operating means, said actuating means being rotatable in reverse directions; a ratchet member cooperating With said operating means and preventing rotation thereof ina direction a?, reverse to the direction of rotation thereof during Winding of the chain -onthe drum;

means operated vby said actuating means for effecting engagement of said operating neans with said driving elementand disengagement therefrom when said actuating means is rotated respectively in chain Winding direction and in a direction reverse there-A to, said operating means when engaged with said driving member and rotated in chain Winding direction by said actuating means effecting tightening of the brakes, and When disengaged therefrom permitting 'free running of the chain Winding member to release the brakes; and auxiliary means comprising cooperating gear means including said ratchet means for easing off theA brakes.

4. In a handbrake mechanism, the combinatioii'vvitli al rota-ry chain Winding member; of a driving element connected thereto;

C'l a rotary manually actuated operating means rotatablev in reverse directions; means for normally preventing rotationof the Winding member in unvvinding' direction, said means for preventing rotation including cooperating Worm and gear elements normally in meshing engagement and adapted to be manually actuated to effect easing off of the brakes, said gear being connected to the. driving element, and said Worm being yieldable With respect to said gear .to provide for ratcheting. action in the brake tightening operation; means for effecting connection and disconnection of said operatingand driving element When said operating means is rotated in V directions corresponding to the chain Winding and univinding directions respectively,

said operating means when operatively con-v nected with said driving member and rotated in chain Winding direction effecting tightening ofthe brakes, and said operating means When disengaged through partial rotation in a reverse direction permitting free running of the chain Winding member and complete release of the brakes.

5. In a hand-brake mechanism, the com-4 bination with a rotary chain tightening element of air anually actuated operating member; means actuated by said operating meinber for operatively connecting said manually actuated member andA the chain tightening element when said member is rotated in a di.- rection to effect Winding of the chain on said element, and completely disengaging said.

member and element through rotation of said member in a reverse direction and permitting rotation of said tightening element relative Athereto in unvvinding direction; a ratchet vmember for preventing retrograde rotation ofthe chain Winding element; and auxiliary means in which said ratchet member is included for effecting easing olf of the brakes.

6. vIn a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain tightening element; of a manually actuated operating member I; releasable means actuated by said operating member for operatively connecting said manually actuated member and the chain tightening element When said member is roy tated in adirection to effect Winding of the nation With a rotary chain tightening Vele-l ment; of a manually actuated operating member; means for operatively connecting said manually actuated member and the'chain tightening element When said member rotatedf in af'direction to effect Winding of the chain on said element, and disengaging saidV LI l member and element When rotated in a reverse direction, said means including cooperatin g clutch members connected to said op- A'erating member and tightening element, respectively, and cooperating cam members on one of said clutch members and the manually actuated member respectively; and a locking member for preventing rotation of one of FUsaid clutch members in a direction corre- I tated in a direction to effect Winding of the chain on said element, and disengaging said member and element When rotated in a. reverse direction, said means including cooperating clutch members connected to saidoperating member and tightening element respectively, the connection between said operating member and corresponding clutch member including means for advancing the clutch members toward each other When said operating member is rotated in a chain tightening direction and disengaging said clutch members When Said operating member is rotated in a reverse direction; and auxiliary means includingr a Worm element for rotating one of said clutch members to ease off the brakes, said Worm element having ratcheting engagement With the cooperating clutch member for preventing rotation of the clutch members in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation thereof When the chain is being tightened.

9. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary tightening element; of a rotary driving member connected thereto; a manually actuated rotary operating member coaxial With said driving member; cooperating clutch members on said operating member and driving member; cooperating means on one of said clutch members and driving member for effecting operative engagement of said clutch members when said operating member is rotated in a chain tightening direction, and disengaging said clutch members when rotated in a reverse direction; a Worm means cooperating with one of said clutch members for rotating the same; and spring means for yieldingly holding said vvorm means engaged with said clutch member to provide ratcheting mechanism for preventing rotation of the clutch members in a direction reverse to the direction o-f rotation thereof When the chain is being tightened by the rotary operating member.

10. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination With a rotary tightening element;

of'a driving member connected thereto; a rotary operating element; and cooperating clutch means on said operating element and driving member, respectively, having interengaging clutchfteeth operative to drive said element in reverse directions, said operating element and one of said clutch means having' cooperating cam elements thereon for effecting relative separation of the clutch means lengthwise of. the axis of rotation of the operating element; and means for yieldingly forcing said clutch elements toward each other.v A

11. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination With a rotary tightening element; of a driving member connected thereto; a rotary operating element; cooperating clutch means on said operating element and driving member, one of said clutch means having camming engagement with the operating element, said last named clutch means having teeth thereon; and a spring pressed threaded ratchet member cooperating with the teethof the clutch means to permit ratcheting action when said operating member is actuated, thethreads of said ratchet memberand the teeth of said clutch member being of Worm formation and said ratchet member being rotatable to effect rotation of the clutch member in a direction to ease oft' the brakes.

12. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination With a rotary chain Winding drum; of a driving gear connected thereto; a pinion cooperating with said gear; a rotary operating shaft rotatable in one direction to tighten the brakes and also rotatable in a reverse direction; cooperating clutch means for connecting said drive shaft and pinion, said clutch means including a member movable on said shaft; means for yieldingly forcing said movable clutch member toward the other clutch member; cooperating means on said movable clutch member and operating shaft for forcing said clutch members apart when the shaft is rotated in said reverse direction, said movable clutch member having gear teeth; and a rotatable Worm member engaging the teeth of said clutch member, said Worm member being yieldable in one direction axially and held against movement in a reverse direction for preventing rotation of said movable clutch member in a direction corresponding to said reverse direction of rotation of said shaft.

13. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination With a rotary tightening element; of a rotary driving member connected thereto; a manually actuated rotary operating member coaxial With said driving member; cooperating clutch members on said operating member and driving member respectively; spring means cooperating with one of said clutch members for urging the same toward the other and forcing said members 'so y into clutching engagement; and cooperating cam meanson said last named clutch member and operating member, respectively, for separating said clutch members when the 5 operating member is rotated in a direction reverse to the direction of rotation thereof when tightening the brakes.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28th 10 day of March, 1930.

JOHN F. OCONNOR. 

